President Donald Trump alleged on September 15, 2026, that an assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, was part of a "Democratic plot" after new details emerged about the gunman, Thomas Crooks. Trump stated on Truth Social, "Everybody knows the Crooked Joe Biden FBI didn’t do what they should have with respect to the Lunatic who shot me in Butler, PA." He claimed that by the time he took office on January 20, 2021, much of the relevant information regarding the incident was missing or altered. Trump further asserted, "This was all a Democrat Plot, to get me out of the Election, that failed."
Trump criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray, stating he should be held accountable for his handling of the assassination attempt. The incident occurred on July 13, 2024, when a bullet grazed Trump’s ear, resulting in the death of a supporter, Corey Comperatore, and injuries to two others. New details reported by The New York Post revealed that Crooks had meticulously planned the shooting, using the pseudonym "Bob Dole" for purchases related to the attack.
The documents released do not indicate a broader conspiracy, and Crooks' motives remain unclear. Notably, Crooks had registered as a Republican two years before his death and made a small donation to the Progressive Turnout Project on the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Trump has previously refrained from linking the attack to a larger conspiracy. In April, when asked about intelligence briefings on the incident, Trump stated, "I have. I’ll keep that to myself. It’s very personal." Trump nominated Wray to lead the FBI during his first term, a decision he made based on advice from former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Since then, Trump has criticized the FBI under Wray for its handling of investigations related to him.